Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How can i induce egg laying from my female RES without oxytocin injections? I just want her to lay her eggs when she is ready, but i can only offer her a safe and nice spot once every month. The vet said she was gravid and she hasn't laid her eggs yet for 4 months. So any other tips that you pros use would be apreciated. I tried putting her in a rubbermaid box filled half way with 50/50 soil and vermiculite mixture. This has not worked for me for the last 2 years. Please offer me some suggestions.

Jeff

make sure the nesting bin has soil as deep as her shell is long, and make sure it's packed down hard and is moist. Put a lamp over it on a timer and that will help warm the soil so it feels more natural. You could also toss in some grass or clover seeds to make it seem even more-so, but only do that over part of it.

When I make a nesting bin, I use soil and sand and I pack it down as hard as I possibly can. I will even stand in the bin and jump up and down. Moisten it as well. These two things together make a spot she can dig a nest that will hold it's shape.

I'd put her in it every night and she'll get used to it. Drop her in after her evening feeding and put her back home in the morning. Once she's laid the eggs, you can find them in the bin.